Editor's note: This article has been adapted from a speech about the origins of football in Spain, given by the writer in Spanish on July 18, 2014.

Like any good story, this one starts in the pub. Football was born officially in the Freemason's Arms, near Covent Garden in London, in October 1863. It was there that "The Rules and Regulations of the Game" were written and from there that football took over the world, Spain included. They call bullfighting the "fiesta nacional," but Spain's true fiesta...

Darren Fletcher converted the decisive fifth penalty in Manchester United's victory over Inter Milan after a scoreless draw on Tuesday night in the second game for both teams in the International Champions Cup.

Real Madrid suffered the humiliation of being held 0-0 against Segunda B side Olimpic de Xativa in the Copa del Rey last-32 clash on Saturday night.

Karim Benzema shows his frustration.

Real were beaten 2-1 by capital rivals Atletico Madrid in the final of the competition last season but, playing without the suspended Ronaldo, looked short of ideas and they could not break through against a side who has managed 26 points from their 16 matches leaving them...